West Papuan asylum seekers’ desire for their country to be independent from Indonesia is bolder after the Australian government granted them Permanent Residency in late May.

“We never wished to come to Australia to build our future," said Jacob Rumbiak, one of the West Papuan leaders in Melbourne attending a ceremony to mark the announcement, "the right of self determination and political independence from Indonesia is our future.”

Attended by over 70 people, including a few local politicians, 39 West Papuan asylum seekers celebrated their permanent residency status by singing, dancing and displaying their paintings to the ceremony attendants.  City of Yarra assisted by providing the venue for the ceremony at the Fitzroy town hall.

The asylum seekers were involved in community activities and produced artworks including paintings from when they arrived in Australia while waiting to get permanent residency.  Their paintings tell the story about their desire for freedom, the journey to Australia and land.

There were 43 of them when they landed at Mapoon, west coast of Cape York on January 17, 2006.  They had escaped from Indonesia in fear of being prosecuted by the Indonesian military because of their political belief. They had travelled on a 7 metre traditional canoe for 5 days to Australia. 

To date, four of them went back to Indonesia as they could not contain their longing to be together with their families in West Papua; they were also allegedly offered financial benefit by the Indonesian government.

“The Indonesian government influenced them to go back to Indonesia.  Their return is to show to the international community that West Papua is a safe place.  They were ordered to say as the Indonesian government’s wishes” said Herman Wainggai one of the asylum seekers.

Now living in Brisbane, Queensland, Wainggai studies English at Southbank TAFE.  He wants to be a lawyer to represent his communities in the international arena.

“I have lot of opportunity in Australia, I want to study about the legal system and to continue to fight for independence,” said Wainggai. 

Like other West Papuan asylum seekers, he hopes that the Australian government will support the independence of his country, like it supported East Timor’s independence in the past.